Data: DoH NI Hospital Statistics — site-specific LOS for each hospital. 2024/25 TFC data (Belfast, Northern, South Eastern sites). 2023/24 Pre-Encompass data (Southern, Western sites). NI average used where site data insufficient.
Site-specific figures from DoH NI TFC 2024/25 (Encompass sites) and Pre-Encompass 2023/24 (Southern/Western). Grey bars indicate NI average used where site data insufficient (<30 inpatients). LOS = total occupied bed days ÷ total inpatients.
Full underlying data is available from the Department of Health Northern Ireland — Hospital Statistics: Inpatient & Day Case Activity by Treatment Function Code (TFC) — published annually at health-ni.gov.uk
Users should be aware of the following limitations when interpreting benchmarking data:
Data currency. Belfast, Northern, and South Eastern HSCT figures are from the 2024/25 TFC dataset (published August 2025, updated November 2025). Southern and Western HSCT figures are from the 2023/24 Pre-Encompass dataset. Northern HSCT 2024/25 data is partial due to Encompass transition from November 2024. Southern and Western 2024/25 data is expected in the 2025/26 DoH publication.
Case mix coding variation. Elective and non-elective classification is based on DoH admission coding. Coding practices may vary between sites and Trusts. Some sites may record planned admissions differently, which can affect the case mix percentages shown. Figures of 100% non-elective should be interpreted with caution and may reflect local coding practice rather than absolute clinical reality.
Minimum threshold. Site and specialty combinations with fewer than 30 inpatients in the year are excluded as statistically unreliable. These cells display the NI average as a fallback, labelled clearly.
LOS calculation. Average length of stay is calculated as total occupied bed days divided by total inpatients, aggregated across all four quarters of the relevant year. This is consistent with the DoH NI methodology.
Specialty classification. Specialties are mapped from DoH Treatment Function Codes (TFC). Where multiple TFC codes map to a single specialty category, figures are combined. Specialty scope and patient profiles may differ between sites serving different functions — for example, Musgrave Park Hospital provides regional specialist rehabilitation services which significantly affects its LOS profile compared to a general acute site.
Benchmarking purpose. LOS variation between sites reflects differences in case mix, patient complexity, site function, and social factors — not necessarily differences in clinical quality or efficiency. These figures should be used to inform discussion and planning, not as performance indicators in isolation.
Source: DoH NI Hospital Statistics — Inpatient & Day Case Activity by Treatment Function Code (TFC) 2024/25 and Pre-Encompass 2023/24. Published under Open Government Licence v3.0. health-ni.gov.uk
What this tool does
NI Patient Flow Intelligence combines two tools in one application, both built on real DoH NI published statistics:
EDD Predictor — estimates a patient's likely Estimated Discharge Date (EDD) at the point of admission using site-specific average length of stay (LOS) data. It displays an ideal EDD based on the pure site average alongside a risk-adjusted EDD accounting for the patient's clinical and social risk factors. Amber and red early warning flags identify patients at risk of extended stays requiring early MDT intervention.
LOS Benchmarking — provides regional performance intelligence across all NI acute hospital sites. Users can compare average LOS for any specialty across all sites, or view the full specialty profile of any individual site against the NI average. Each chart shows the case mix split between non-elective and elective admissions, providing essential context for interpreting LOS variation between sites.
Data sources
DoH NI Hospital Statistics — Inpatient & Day Case Activity by Treatment Function Code (TFC) 2024/25 for Belfast, Northern, and South Eastern HSCTs. Pre-Encompass dataset 2023/24 for Southern and Western HSCTs. Published under Open Government Licence. No patient data used or stored.
Intellectual property
Developed by David Calvin RN, MSc — Founder, RDC Clinical Technology. All intellectual property rights retained by David Calvin. Free for use by HSC Trust staff for ward-level EDD planning and regional LOS benchmarking. Version 1.0 — May 2026.
Important
The EDD Predictor is a statistical planning aid only. It must not replace clinical judgement or MDT assessment. The treating clinical team retains full responsibility for all discharge planning decisions. LOS benchmarking figures reflect population-level averages and should be used to inform discussion and planning — not as performance indicators in isolation.